Wonders of Ice

Appreciating Nature's Ephemeral Creations

This video from my back deck a year ago offers a unique glimpse at watching ice crystals form in real time on the surface of a bubble. The accompaniment of early morning light and birdsong completes the experience. It will be cold this week and low morning temperatures will be in the single digits here in Alexandria. I look forward to trying this process again.

This past week I was drawn to the wonder of winter’s ice creations. Here are a few photos from exploring the light on the ice and the build-up of sheets of ice along the Potomac River.

Like the ice in these photos, I feel some things shifting in my writing life, ideas rearranging in ways that help to clarify what it is I want to communicate. I will write more about that soon.

There has been a welcome spaciousness to take a short break from regular writing. I’m grateful for the ways this time has made room for movement and a sense of renewal with beginning anew.

I was reflecting Friday on missing writing my newsletter and thinking of ways to capture where I find myself as the year begins.

January has been full days so far; the fullness of everyday life, as well as the particular experiences of travel delays, illness, helping college students prepare for a return to school, and a lovely opportunity to lead art in community in person this past weekend.

As I thought of writing a newsletter last week, it seemed I had more to show than to say.

I would love to hear where you are finding beauty and wonder in these cold days too.

Thank you for reading, sharing, and being part of creative community through this newsletter,

Kathryn